Siân Gwenllian: Isn't the truth of the matter that your Government's policy can't guarantee Welsh language services—even basic Welsh language services—for vulnerable patients today, and that you are entirely right in your own analysis that they won't be available in five years' time either, unless we change those health standards? As you said yourself, a situation like this is a tough sell for Welsh speakers.
Siân Gwenllian: Well, I'm hugely disappointed by that response. We are talking about Betsi Cadwaladr health board in the case of the gentleman with dementia from Anglesey, as it happens. So, what you say is, simply, wrong. Another problem that you identified in the discussion on the health standards, before they were passed, was the lack of coverage for workforce planning in the medical workforce through...
Siân Gwenllian: Reducing the rise of child poverty in Wales, and, indeed, aiming for the complete eradication of child poverty, deserves the full attention of our country's Government—its full attention, its highest priority and urgent action. Unfortunately, that is not the situation. It was very disappointing to hear the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services say at the Children, Young People and...
Siân Gwenllian: I agree, as do 70 per cent of parents and the Youth Parliament, that one lesson per year of first aid should be presented to our pupils. Now, I understand the problem that you have with the new curriculum, and the vision and concept underpinning it, but there are some things that are so important that you do need that assurance and clarity on them. I'm pleased to hear that guidance is to be...
Siân Gwenllian: 1. When will the Minister publish an evaluation of the Welsh Government's rapid diagnostic centres plan? OAQ54895
Siân Gwenllian: We know that diagnosing cancer early can be the difference between a good outcome or a poor outcome when it comes to treatment of that cancer. Quite simply, diagnosing cancer early will often save a patient's life. The positive evidence coming forward as a result of the pilot schemes in Neath Port Talbot and in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital is to be welcomed. But the people of Gwynedd are...
Siân Gwenllian: There I was, listening to Stormzy on the recommendation of Rhun ap Iorwerth, when an artist more familiar to me came to the attention of the charts. I would like to congratulate my constituent Dafydd Iwan for topping the iTunes chart with his iconic anthem 'Yma o Hyd'. Dafydd's success is a happy marriage between the old rocker and the thriving young YesCymru movement. Dafydd shares the same...
Siân Gwenllian: I thank the committee for this important report. I would like to take the opportunity this afternoon to question the Minister on some of the issues arising from her responses to the committee report—firstly, the thematic review that Estyn is going to be doing, looking at the arrangements for teaching Welsh history at schools. Have the terms of reference been agreed and what is the timetable...
Siân Gwenllian: 4. How will the Welsh Government ensure that current human rights are protected when the UK leaves the European Union? OAQ55008
Siân Gwenllian: Excellent. I'm very pleased to hear that, and that you commissioned that work and that that will include some legislative work, because what we do know is that there is a very real potential for us to lose many of the rights—workers' rights, women's rights, the rights of disabled people and so on—as we leave the European Union. And I believe that, in the summer, the Counsel General,...
Siân Gwenllian: Given the budgetary processes going on in local authorities across Wales at the moment and the further threat to transport for post-16 learners in those budgets, can we have an update on the review of learner travel in the post-16 sector, the review announced on 13 November? And can you also ask the Minister or the Deputy Minister with responsibility for this area to outline the rationale for...
Siân Gwenllian: This afternoon I would like to pursue two specific issues—these issues won't be new to you; I have raised them in the past—first of all, implementing the new curriculum. Your statement today does acknowledge, of course, that implementing the change is the major challenge, and that there is international evidence that demonstrates that that has been clear in other scenarios. And the other...
Siân Gwenllian: Thank you for the statement. Now, throughout all of this, there is one particular question that constantly arises in my mind, and that is a question on funding: how can you reconcile the Government's current budget for the Welsh language for the next financial year with the ambition in the 'Cymraeg 2050' strategy? Although various Ministers have contradicted each other, as we understand it,...
Siân Gwenllian: Does the Welsh Government have any plans to ensure that every pupil in Wales learns the history and stories of Wales?
Siân Gwenllian: 4. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of a high percentage of second homes on housing need within communities? OAQ55005
Siân Gwenllian: There are broader issues than just the impact within the taxation system. But we do need a resolution to that, and the WLGA agrees with us that changing section 66 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 is the way forward. So, it's not just on these benches that are talking about this; the WLGA, representing all Welsh councils, has also said that we need to amend that legislation as a...
Siân Gwenllian: I feel passionately about this, as you know, but the question is: what other changes, apart from the taxation changes, could your Government consider implementing in order to resolve this problem?
Siân Gwenllian: My great-grandfather was a quarryman in Cilgwyn in Dyffryn Nantlle, so I'm very proud to support the bid to secure UNESCO world heritage site status for the slate-quarrying areas of north-west Wales. Growing up in Felinheli in the 1960s, I was highly aware of the decline of an industry that, at one time, sent slate to all parts of the world. The old dock had dilapidated, and now only the...
Siân Gwenllian: Formally.
Siân Gwenllian: Formally.
